Isabella is a child from Kenya. She hails from Kaloleni village in Machakos county. She together with her sister are twins. They are both in nursery school. She likes playing with her sister and as well associating with other people. Her mother is housewife while the father is a conductor. The family live in a one roomed rental house and as the mother informed us, they have to work hard in order to provide for the basic needs to the family. Isabella has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Isabella traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 29. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Isabella's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. “My joy is to see my daughter walking on her feet like her twin sister. I will appreciate any kind of support rendered to help my daughter rise and walk. God bless you.” Isabella’s mother informed us.

Ali is a baby from Ethiopia. He was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Ali is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on August 1. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ali's procedure and care. After his recovery, Ali will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future.

Diana is a student from Kenya. She has clubfoot of her right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Diana traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 20. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Diana's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily.

Sinath is a sixth grade student from Cambodia. Her favorite subject in school is Khmer, and she hopes to become a police officer when she grows up. When she was five years old, Sinath had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sinath experiences itchiness and ear discharge. It is difficult for Sinath to focus during class, and she often has trouble focusing at school. Sinath traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 4, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her mother says, "I hope that my daughter will recover from surgery and be able to hear clearly and will no longer suffer from ongoing infections to her ear."

Bway is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Mae La Refugee Camp. She is a teacher. For one yearr, Bway has been experiencing lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian mass. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Bway's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Bway is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on April 30. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience abdominal pain and will be able to spend time with her family happily.

Thomas is an artist from Kenya. In early March, he was hit by a bus and sustained an ankle fracture. He is not able to walk and experiences pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 12, Thomas will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “The uncouth behavior of bus drivers may lead to my hospitalization but it will not deter me taking up my hustle from where I left after I am healed,” Thomas said.

Juma is a young farmer from Tanzania. He is the fifth born child in a family of seven children. When he was five years old Juma was in an accident in which he burned his foot. The skin around his foot contracted. His walking is affected, and he feels pain when he walks for a long distance. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Juma receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk without pain and discomfort. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Juma says, “Please help correct my feet.”

Linn Thu is a 18-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his grandparents, parents, and two younger brothers. In his free time, Linn Thu likes to visit his friends and listen to music. Linn Thu was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Linn Thu feels tired and experiences chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Linn Thu. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 22 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I would like to get a good job to earn a living after I recover,” says Linn Thu.

Han is a 24-year-old Karen man from Burma. He is an army medic. Han was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Han is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on February 10 to correct his condition and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Han's procedure and care. He says, “I cannot sleep at night. Before coming to BCMF I was very worried about my health condition. Now I am a bit relieved. I am looking forward to go back to my duty as a medic again when I am fully recovered.”

Jibens is a student from Haiti. He lives in a very rural area in the mountains of southwest Haiti with his parents and three siblings. His parents are farmers. Jibens is in the second grade and enjoys going to school. Jibens has a cardiac condition called pulmonary stenosis. One of the four valves in his heart is too narrow, preventing blood from flowing through it and causing the blood to back up into his heart. Jibens will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 14, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter with a balloon on the tip into his valve, and then inflate the balloon to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Jibens's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Jibens's family overseas. His mother says, "I am very happy that Jibens can have this surgery so that he can walk to school without getting tired."

Aye Chan is a five-year-old preschool girl from Thailand. She lives with her family in a village in Mae Sot Township. In October, Aye Chan slipped and fell, breaking her right forearm. Currently, she cannot sleep at night, and she is on painkillers to manage the pain. She cannot lift her left arm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Aye Chan will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for November 1 and will cost $1,500. The treatment will help her to use her left hand again. She will be able to go to school, allowing her mother, who is currently caring for her, to return to work. Her mother says, "I'm looking forward to seeing her recover...I would like to thank your organization for helping my daughter. I will never forget what you have done for my daughter. When she recovers, I will continue to send her to school no matter how difficult it is."

Mary is a woman from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of three children and has one child, who is five years old. Her parents are farmers, and her mother also sells green vegetables at the market to support the family. Currently, Mary works at a bar to support her child. Four weeks ago, Mary developed severe pain on her right side. Due to the pain, she was unable to go to work and do her normal chores. She went to a hospital, where an ultrasound scan showed she has cholelithiasis, or gallstones. She needs to undergo abdominal surgery to treat the condition. If not treated, Mary may experience complications, such as obstruction of the bile duct or inflammation of the gall bladder. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for September 6. This procedure will cost $750.